{"id":3283,"date":"2013-06-28T22:15:24","date_gmt":"2013-06-29T05:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/?page_id=3283"},"modified":"2014-01-01T10:19:27","modified_gmt":"2014-01-01T18:19:27","slug":"preserve-van-norden-lake","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/preserve-van-norden-lake\/","title":{"rendered":"Preserve Van Norden Lake and Wetlands"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/summitvalleybanner.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3293\" alt=\"summitvalleybanner\" src=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/summitvalleybanner.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"283\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Summit Valley Presentations:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=vNcLhgo0Lzc\" target=\"_blank\">History and current options for Van Norden lake and dam<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=WIu4bJ0ivnQ\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Preserving Van Norden Lake and Wetlands through reconfiguration<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The Problem<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3303\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Van-Norden-Lake-spillway-PGE-pic-1903.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3303\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3303 \" alt=\"Van Norden Lake spillway - PG&amp;E pic 1903\" src=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Van-Norden-Lake-spillway-PGE-pic-1903.jpg\" width=\"250\" height=\"165\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3303\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Van Norden dam 1903<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong><\/strong>The disposition of Van Norden Lake and its surrounding wetlands is going to be decided in the next two years by the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tdlandtrust.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Truckee-Donner Land Trust<\/a> (TDLT). The venerable Van Norden Dam is currently under the jurisdiction of the California <a href=\"http:\/\/www.water.ca.gov\/damsafety\/\" target=\"_blank\">Division of Safety of Dams<\/a> (DSOD) and they have declared it to be out of compliance and is requiring that it be brought into compliance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A Solution<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The history of the dam in Summit Valley\u00a0stretches back over more than 100 years (<a href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/images\/VNDtimeline.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">see timeline<\/a>).\u00a0Through a chain of serendipitous events the\u00a0valley currently consists of a blend of five ecological\u00a0habitats including a 70 acre open water\u00a0seasonal lake and its adjoining wetlands as\u00a0well as another 100 acres of wet meadow and\u00a0riparian habitats. Any solution for fixing the\u00a0dam will have serious consequences to the\u00a0habitats in the valley.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/summit-valley-habitats.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3289\" alt=\"summit valley habitats\" src=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/summit-valley-habitats.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"539\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3306\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/White-Pelicans-on-rock-in-Van-Norden-Lake-28-5-18-12.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3306\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3306\" alt=\"White Pelicans on rock in Van Norden Lake-28 5-18-12\" src=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/White-Pelicans-on-rock-in-Van-Norden-Lake-28-5-18-12.jpg\" width=\"250\" height=\"166\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3306\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">White Pelicans in the back bay<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Realistically, the only financially feasible solution\u00a0for fixing the dam is to reconfigure it so\u00a0that it is no longer under the jurisdiction of\u00a0the State. This means that the dam must either\u00a0be reduced in height to below 6 ft or the\u00a0volume of the lake must be lowered to below\u00a050 acre-feet. Last summer a bathymetric analysis by Balance Hydrologics showed that the current spillway would need to be lowered 2.2 ft to reduce the lake to 50 acre-ft. Either of these alternatives by\u00a0themselves will lower the lake significantly\u00a0and will completely remove the large back bay\u00a0area of the lake and its adjoining wetlands.<\/p>\n<p>The solution presented here is a way to minimize\u00a0the effects of remediation and maintain\u00a0the lake and wetlands and is based on a strategy of divide and conquer. The idea is to divide one large lake that is &gt; 50 acre-ft and jurisdictional, into two lakes that are each less &lt;50 acre-ft and non-jurisdictional. \u00a0There is a natural constriction\u00a0in the middle of the lake where an secondary low profile dam can be constructed. The dam would be an engineered dam consisting of mortared boulders that would be a hybrid between a fully submersible weir and a dam. \u00a0The dam would form a second lake approximatley 2 ft in depth that would be &lt;50 acre-ft and out of state jurisdiction\u00a0<span style=\"line-height: 24px;\">(see<\/span><a style=\"color: #ff4b33; line-height: 24px;\" href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/images\/DSODjurisdictionchart.jpg\">\u00a0jurisdiction chart<\/a><span style=\"line-height: 24px;\">)<\/span>, about 2\/3 the size of the current back bay area.\u00a0The existing dam can be\u00a0notched down to 2.2 feet which will make it &lt;50 acre-ft and remove it\u00a0from the jurisdiction of the state.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Van-Norden-Meadow-2-lake-solution-slide-12-13.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3559\" alt=\"Van Norden Meadow 2 lake solution slide 12-13\" src=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Van-Norden-Meadow-2-lake-solution-slide-12-13.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"571\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Beaver-swimming-in-Van-Norden-Lake-in-Summit-Valley-03-6-5-13.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-3309\" alt=\"Beaver swimming in Van Norden Lake in Summit Valley-03 6-5-13\" src=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Beaver-swimming-in-Van-Norden-Lake-in-Summit-Valley-03-6-5-13.jpg\" width=\"250\" height=\"167\" \/><\/a>The result would be a configuration\u00a0in which there would be 2 non-jurisdictional lakes and the open water\u00a0lake and wetlands would be maintained. A <strong>\u00a0win, win<\/strong>!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Consider the Alternative<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Of course the simplest solution for bringing the dam into compliance would simply be make it non-jurisdictional by lowering the level of the lake by 2.2 ft so that it holds less that 50 acre-feet of water. This would have drastic consequences for the back bay area of the lake as shown in the simulation graphic included here. This course of action would completely remove the 35 acres of lake in the back bay with its adjoining 35 acres of wetlands. The front bay would also be significantly reduced in size.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/2-2-ft-notch-collage.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3561\" alt=\"2-2 ft notch collage\" src=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/2-2-ft-notch-collage.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"933\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Employing the secondary dam solution described above would prevent the loss of the back bay area and it&#8217;s wetlands that would occur with a 2.2 ft notching. The simulation below shows what would be expected using a secondary dam and two lake solution. As you can see, there is relatively little impact on the present configuration of the lake and wetlands.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/reconfiguration-collage.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3299\" alt=\"reconfiguration collage\" src=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/reconfiguration-collage.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"752\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>But is it &#8220;natural&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It is true that Van Norden lake is the result of the man-made Van Norden dam. However, nature is the ultimate opportunist and for the last 36 years it has established an ecosystem in the valley that includes the open lake and wetland habitats that support a rich bio-diversity resource. Man made lakes and wetlands are a common tool used throughout the United States to foster wildlife and preserve habitat and millions of dollars are spent to create and support these projects. The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fws.gov\/sacramentovalleyrefuges\/\" target=\"_blank\">Sacramento NWR<\/a> is perfect example just a short distance from the Summit Valley Each year large areas of wetland are created through irrigation in the central valley to provide a winter home for millions (yes millions) of migratory ducks, geese and cranes. If you have never visited one of the reserves to see the Snow Geese fly then you are really missing a special natural experience.<\/p>\n<p>http:\/\/youtu.be\/fi5QCoQoJRA<\/p>\n<p>Another example of the creation and maintenance of open water and wetlands is the world famous reserve of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fws.gov\/southwest\/refuges\/newmex\/bosque\/\" target=\"_blank\">Bosque del Apache<\/a> in San Antonio, New Mexico. If you want to see the ultimate example of human powered creation and preservation of this valuable habitat, watch the video below.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge\" width=\"1060\" height=\"795\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QBVVllM2ofA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>When you consider the millions of acres of natural habitat that have been lost in the development of this country, there is something inherently satisfying when with just a little effort we can return some of that habitat back to nature.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What you can do<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3312\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Merganser-mother-and-ducklings-in-Van-Norden-lake-95-7-20-12_0021.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3312\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3312\" alt=\"Merganser mother and ducklings in Van Norden lake-95 7-20-12_0021\" src=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Merganser-mother-and-ducklings-in-Van-Norden-lake-95-7-20-12_0021.jpg\" width=\"250\" height=\"164\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3312\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mergansers starting a family<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The disposition of Van Norden Lake and wetlands\u00a0is in the hands of the Truckee-Donner\u00a0Land Trust. They must decide on a plan that will\u00a0address the present situation in which there is a\u00a0non-compliant dam in the Summit Valley. In October the Land Trust stated that it would go ahead with the plan to notch the existing spillway 2.2 ft to lower the lake volume to &lt;50 acre-ft. The two lake solution has been presented to the Land Trust and they have considered it seriously. They have also shown it to the US Forest Service which is slated to buy the land in the next two years.<\/p>\n<p>The Truckee-Donner Land Trust has made a\u00a0commitment to resolve this situation to optimize\u00a0the resources in the Summit Valley. Part of\u00a0that optimization includes the enjoyment of the\u00a0valley by the people that visit it, including you. If\u00a0you agree with the idea that the valley should\u00a0be maintained in it\u2019s current configuration with\u00a0the valuable and bio-diverse lake and wetland\u00a0habitats, then make your feelings known to the\u00a0land trust. You can do this by attending their <a href=\"http:\/\/royalgorgeoutreach.org\/public-meetings-and-hikes\/\" target=\"_blank\">special outreach meeting<\/a> on July 29th at 9 am at Judah Lodge and\/or contacting them directly\u00a0at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tdlandtrust.org\/contact-us\" target=\"_blank\">their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">So let&#8217;s<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Keep-it-wet-and-wild-logo-blue-small.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3318\" alt=\"Keep it wet and wild logo-blue-small\" src=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Keep-it-wet-and-wild-logo-blue-small.png\" width=\"300\" height=\"302\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summit Valley Presentations: History and current options for Van Norden lake and dam Preserving Van Norden Lake and Wetlands through reconfiguration The Problem The disposition of Van Norden Lake and its surrounding wetlands is going to be decided in the <span class=\"excerpt-dots\">&hellip;<\/span> <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/preserve-van-norden-lake\/\"><span class=\"more-msg\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3283","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3283"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3283\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3327,"href":"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3283\/revisions\/3327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/onthesummit.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}